In this episode, Justin talks to director Michael Welborn about his new film Darkling, being an independent filmmaker, and other random things that popped into Justin’s head (as he tends to do). Two track from the film’s composer, Austin Michael aka AVZTN, close out the episode. We hope you enjoy it, see you again in about 2 weeks! Continue reading “The SliceCast – Michael Welborn”→

On Halloween, 2017, CinemaSlice‘s Michael Welborn released a short film clip paying homage to the 1940 film The Devil Bat (starring Bela Lugosi) – also called The Devil Bat. I asked an old college friend (an avid film fan, and a classmate in Andrew Jefchak‘s Literature and Motion Pictures class at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan) for his input on the film before I wrote this.

Talking with Welborn, he mentioned that his intention was to cover what he felt was the main scene(s) in the original film – explaining the short length (a little over three minutes) of this project. He also had some ideas he’d like to try for an expanded homage – though to my knowledge those are still in the concept stage.

A horror film with a mix of humor and sadism. I feel this film is a lot longer than it needs to be. The opening itself running a slightly-past-tolerable 2 minutes, plus. I’m not sure if the background images really do much for setting up the story itself (rather, justifying the amount of time spent on them). It’s possible there’s some key element among them, but after a couple of viewings it still eludes me – other than establishing a medical-theme. The one nice thing though is the opening soundtrack (by AVZTN), which has a special creepiness to it – the classic haunting sounds do produce a chilling effect, causing uneasiness in the viewer (or at least to me).

The first shot is a close-up of an anesthesiologist (played by Michael Welborn), explaining to a patient who he is and what his duties are suppose to be. We then see the patient (Mr. Covington, played by Brandon Guiles). We quickly learn this is suppose to be an appendectomy. However the bedside manner of the physician is disturbing Covington a bit.

Feast your sensory units upon the newest release from Play Ground X. The Play Ground X Season 1 soundtrack! Now spinning at a stunning 78 revolutions per minute! Brought to you from the future to listen to in the past, I assure to you the whole soundtrack is a blast. From “It Knows!” to “Beard-B-There“, you can listen to them anywhere!

When projected at 152 decibels directly to the inner trunk, it is also said to repel three armed shelephants with ease. Now you can venture into the wild if you please.

With music composed by AVZTN and featuring many other voices you’ve come to know and love. It may make your day, your week, your month or even your year. It will be there for you, even when the rain starts to pour. It will be there for you, like we’ve been there before. It will be there for you, like you’ve been there for us too.

It’s too good to keep it to yourself, share it with your imaginary friends or maybe someone else! The uses are endless for the Play Ground X Season 1 Soundtrack. Works wonders as lullabies to get children back to sleep. Use it to take the dogs for a walk or to talk to nana on the phone.